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EW RETINA
multicenter, randomized, double-
masked, sham injection controlled
CHROMA and SPECTRI studies that
will investigate the drug's effica-
cy and safety. This approach also
represents the potential therapy for
GA furthest in clinical development
to date. Dr. Holz thinks that lampal-
izumab may present a promising op-
tion to slow down GA and prevent
severe visual loss. "There is evidence
that complement hyperactivity plays
an important role in the pathogen-
esis of the disease. By intervening
here, we may be able to slow down
atrophy. The CHROMA and SPECTRI
trials are recruiting almost 2,000 pa-
tients to see if the drug can slow the
expansion of atrophic patches. Atro-
phic lesions will always continue to
grow if there is no treatment given,
so results will be telling. However,
it is too early to say—the data are in
the final analysis," he said.
Recruitment will end around Q3
2016 and patients will be followed
for 24 months. Dr. Holz expects to
see first results sometime in 2018.
Neovascular-associated GA
According to Dr. Bopp, neovascular-
associated GA is a prominent cause
of continued vision loss in patients
with otherwise successfully treated
neovascular AMD. She explained,
"Treatment with VEGF inhibitors
early in the course of the neovascu-
lar disease is of great clinical benefit.
However, we suspect that anti-VEGF
treatment may actually strengthen
October 2016
TO VIEW THE CURRENT AND PAST
ISSUES OF EYEWORLD, VISIT
DIGITAL.EYEWORLD.ORG
continued on page 74
